Europe’s biggest mobile operators in talks for satellite-to-mobile venture
The consortium is eyeing a bid for satellite spectrum to offer direct-to-mobile services, an area dominated by Elon Musk’s Starlink.
Leading European mobile operators are reportedly discussing the formation of a consortium to bid on satellite spectrum and offer direct-to-mobile services, potentially competing with Elon Musk's Starlink. Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Vodafone Group, and Telefonica are among the companies exploring the possibility, aiming to increase European capabilities in satellite communications.
The European Union is proposing to reserve a portion of the 2 GHz spectrum for local operators, with the current licenses for this spectrum set to expire in 2027. The EU wants to bolster satellite services as SpaceX, which already offers Starlink broadband in Europe, expands its direct-to-consumer business. SpaceX opposes the EU's proposal to limit spectrum access for international companies.
Vodafone has already partnered with AST SpaceMobile, another US-based satellite firm. Any consortium would need to have a majority European ownership to comply with the EU's proposal. The EU plans to reserve a third of the spectrum for sovereign communication services, initially focused on broadband, by a consortium led by SES, Eutelsat Communications and Hispasat.
The constellation is not expected to enter service until 2029. International companies will be allowed to bid for the remaining two-thirds of the spectrum.
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